The Rancher's Nanny Bargain. Sara Orwig

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      “Okay,” he said, though she got the impression he really wanted to continue his dire warnings.

      “Let’s get the car loaded before I’m late arriving at his ranch. I’ll text you and keep you posted on how I’m getting along. Everyone you work with there will wonder why you keep getting reports from me on my well-being.”

      “They’ll know it’s because I can’t be there myself and I’m a class-A worrier when it comes to my baby sister. Cade is a great guy and my best friend, but I don’t want you hurt by him.”

      “Luke, for the last time, you’ve got to stop. I believe you’re the one who wanted me to interview with him and go to work for him,” she said sweetly and Luke clamped his mouth shut. “Let’s go,” she said, picking up a bag which he took from her hands.

      After her car was packed and her apartment locked, she hugged Luke. “I hope you love your work. You know, environmental engineers can find jobs in Texas.”

      He grinned. “This is a change and I’ll learn new things. The South Pole needs protection. They have wastewater problems just like Dallas does.”

      “Don’t give me one of your lectures about protecting our earth. I’m recycling.”

      “Keep at it. Every little bit helps. For my part, I’m excited about working there.”

      “Good. I’m excited about my new job, too. Amelia is a precious little girl.”

      Her brother studied her. “You’ll work there a little over four months—you shouldn’t get too attached in that time.”

      She brushed off his concern. “That little girl needs someone to care for her and I’m happy to get the job—and very happy to get the money,” she added lightly. But inside, she was afraid she was already attached to Amelia, yet willing to care for her because her guardian was clueless about baby care. “It’s too short a time for any attachment I form to get too strong,” she lied. “Now you stop worrying and take care of yourself.” She hugged him again.

      “Don’t I always?” Luke grinned as he held open the car door for her to get behind the wheel. He closed her door and stepped back, and she saw him watching her as she drove away. She turned the corner and he was lost to sight, but his warnings about Cade echoed in her mind.

      Would this job be the blessing for all as she hoped? Or was she driving straight into trouble and more heartache?

      * * *

      When Erin arrived at the ranch, Cade came out in long strides to greet her. Her heartbeat jumped. This wasn’t going to be the easiest job, she realized right away. The instant she saw him all her intentions to resist Cade’s appeal vanished like smoke in the wind.

      August sunshine spilled over him, and locks of his raven hair blew slightly in the breeze. Emitting a contagious vitality, he looked tan, strong and fit in his tight jeans, boots, and a red plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

      “Welcome to the ranch,” he said, smiling at her. “My grandmother is thrilled about your arrival today. Frankly, she’s not accustomed to caring for a baby and she’s worn threadbare.”

      Erin smiled at him, aware of his dark blue eyes as his gaze swept over her. If he had stayed in Dallas where he worked with his younger brother Gabe, in commercial real estate, and left her with his grandmother, Maisie, Harold and the rest of his staff, her life would be peaceful. As it was, while she looked up at such blue eyes and thick, black hair, she wondered if she would have another peaceful moment until this job ended in December.

      “I’m eager to get started and to get to know Amelia,” she said, trying to focus on her job.

      Cade shouldered a carry-on and took her laptop from her hands. Their hands brushed in a casual touch that stirred more sparks.

      “We’ll get all your things,” he said as Harold came out of the house and hurried to carry her luggage.

      Holding Amelia in her arms, his grandmother stepped out and stood watching on the porch while Erin made her way up the walk, Cade beside her. At the top of the steps, she paused to greet Margo and Amelia.

      “I’m so happy you’re here,” Margo said.

      She returned the pleasantry. “Let me take Amelia,” she said once she entered the house and set down her purse. Dressed in a blue-and-yellow jumper and yellow blouse, Amelia smelled sweet. When she studied Erin with her thickly lashed big blue eyes, Erin smiled at her.

      “I’m glad you’re here so you can tell me about her routine,” Erin said quietly to Margo.

      “We haven’t exactly established a routine. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had the care of a baby. I had two girls and Crystal was my youngest. She’s Cade’s mother. By the time the boys were born, Crystal had a nanny and help, so there was little for me to do about their care. They’re close together in age and I didn’t raise boys, so I didn’t really have them with me often.”

      Erin nodded, thinking how different that was from her mother’s life and her own, caring for her little nephews who stayed with her parents for a lot of nights. Her parents had raised a big family with boys and girls and they loved having their grandchildren around.

      “We’ll go to what is the nursery for now,” Cade said. “Amelia’s suite is between my suite and yours. The sitting room is now a playroom. Like I said earlier, we really didn’t have time to change things when I got Amelia. I wanted to get her settled and familiar with where she is. I think she needs stability after the upheaval in her life.” He clamped his mouth closed and a muscle flexed in his jaw. She guessed he was having a bad moment about losing his brother and sister-in-law, or possibly a bad moment thinking about Amelia losing a mommy and daddy. She could understand because of her own heartaches and she looked at Amelia, smoothing the baby’s unruly curls from her forehead.

      Big blue eyes studied her solemnly and Erin smiled at Amelia, knowing the baby would grow accustomed to her as time passed.

      She glanced at Cade to find him watching her and she wondered what he was thinking. But she didn’t ask.

      Cade paused in front of Amelia’s suite and motioned her in, though he moved down toward another open door.

      “I’ll put these in your room and be right in.”

      Erin entered the baby’s suite and turned to see Margo settle on a sofa. She glanced around at a room she had barely looked at the day of her interview. Stuffed toys were scattered on a blanket on the floor. There were more on a chair, plus rattles and blocks. A toy box overflowed with baby toys on one side of the sofa. There was a baby swing at one side of the room and a baby chair in the middle of the room.

      Erin sat in a rocker and rocked while still holding Amelia. “She doesn’t seem interested in getting down or in her toys.”

      “She woke early this morning, so she might be getting sleepy again,” Margo said. “Cade is here with you and if you don’t have any questions, I think I’ll go answer my emails. Call me if you need me,” she added and Erin nodded, wondering if she was going to be alone with Cade often or if he would disappear to work. Whatever happened, she realized her job as nanny had started instantly and she wasn’t going to get any schedule from Margo regarding Amelia.

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